The Great Porter
Man Skirt Brewing

 

We visited Man Skirt specifically because it seems as if they are one of the only local craft brewers who don't offer a thousand different IPA's and only one or two malt-forward styles as afterthoughts ... The Great Porter is indeed that, great. When I brought my pint back to the table, my wife looked up from her phone and said, "Ooh, it smells like they're roasting something", but they weren't (at the time, a brewing assistant was handling some corn that had been fermenting for an experimental corn-based beer). That roasting smell was coming from my pint. Excellent all 'round, maybe a tad lower alcohol than I would prefer but those lovely roasted flavors come thru nicely. One of my favorite styles in the first place, and I put this one right up there with Edmund Fitzgerald and Founders.

 

 

 

Poured from undated can into tulip glass. It pours nearly ink black with a half finger of foamy, khaki-colored head that dissipated quickly leaving a thin sheen of lacing at the top of the glass. It has a classic porter smell of roasted malt, burnt coffee, nuts, and a touch of chocolate. As the glass warmed the taste really opened up: roasty, sweet malt, both freshly-brewed and burnt coffee, nuts, lightly sweet chocolate, a hint of char, and a fairly bitter hop finish. In fact, the hops play a key role in developing the taste. I wish knew the age of the can. It features a mildly creamy mouth feel with more carbonation than I anticipated, and with a moderate 5.9% ABV it's a super easy drinker. Overall, this is a very nicely-crafted American Porter, which is one of my favorite styles. It's not nearly at the level of Founders Porter, Edmund Fitzgerald or Victory at Sea but for a local offering it does the trick. Don't drink it too cold.

Best Porter I've ever had

4's across the board. This is a really good porter. Has a subtle "milk stout" hint to it but it's tasty. Great mouthfeel. Definitely will buy again. Well done!

On-tap @ Man Skirt Brewing in Hackettstown, NJ.

Deep black color with a small tan head. Faint ruby highlights around the edges. Roasted malt and chocolate aroma and flavor. A little sweetness from the malt, a little bitterness from the roasted malt, and, upon tasting, a touch of smoke at the very end. Finishes clean and roasty. Medium bodied, maybe a little too much so. Could benefit from a creamier, thicker texture. Still, a nice porter that has the potential to be its namesake with some minor tweaks.

 

 

 

When poured into a 16oz pint, the beer's color is dark black, with enough light behind, you can see deep red hints. The head, thick and creamy, leaves a lacing on the glass for the remaining of your drink. Malty, roasty and chocolatey. Mouth feel great. A must try beer.

Pours black with very thin head. Aroma is smoky and that is the dominant flavor too. Not bitter but roasted. Feel is good for a Porter. Overall it's very drinkable but not great.

DATE: December 16, 2016... OCCASION: a week from Christmas, and prepping for an ugly weather day tomorrow... GLASSWARE: HopDevil nonick...a jet black body that houses a single-finger brown, craggy head... the remaining lacing crowns evenly and with a quarter-finger thickness... peaty, lactic, and chocolaty, with some roasted toffee to balance the expectations... as drinkable as can be--even throughout the sip, with a measured flourish at the finish--some brackishness too... the flavor profile is chocolate, roasted coffee and peaty vegetable, combining in a pleasant, medium-bodied drink... easily the best of the Man Skirt year-round offerings, deserving of a place in the best that Hackettstown has to offer... the lacing continues to impress as the glass drains... finishes with peat and roasted malts... a solid go-to that can be enjoyed year round...